The City of Stirling, located in Perth's northeast, has launched an Australian-first parking initiative aimed at assisting elderly drivers who do not meet the criteria for disability parking permits. From Monday, the council is trialling 20 new senior parking spaces across 10 community buildings.
Background of the Trial
The council oversees a population of 254,000 residents, with approximately 20 per cent aged over 60. In a statement, the City of Stirling noted: 'Finding a parking spot can be a challenge whether you're heading to the shops, an appointment or visiting a community facility. We've especially heard this from senior residents.'
The trial will run until August 9 and features two car parks near entrances designated for seniors, marked with bright green 'Priority Parking For Seniors' signage. Council volunteers transporting seniors will also be permitted to use these allocated spaces.
Target Group
This initiative is specifically designed for seniors who do not qualify for the Australian Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled (ACROD) program, which provides parking bays for individuals with severe mobility restrictions or legal blindness. Deputy Mayor Karlo Perkov emphasised that the spaces would enhance daily life for thousands of Perth residents.
'We put a lot of effort into supporting seniors to stay active and connected in the community through a whole range of age-friendly programs and services,' he said. 'Priority parking bays may be another simple way that we can improve access and inclusion for seniors, whether they are attending a workshop at one of our libraries or a group fitness class at one of our leisure centres.'
Enforcement and Community Responsibility
The new senior parking bays are not legally enforceable. Instead, the council relies on community members to respect the designated spots and leave them free for those who self-identify as seniors. This approach mirrors priority seating for pregnant women or the elderly on public transport.
Participating venues include libraries in Inglewood, Mirrabooka, Osborne, Scarborough, and Karrinyup, as well as leisure centres in Inglewood, Mirrabooka, Balga, Hamersley, and Scarborough.
'This is only a trial for now, but it will give us valuable information for future conversations about parking across our City,' Deputy Mayor Perkov added.
